A simple, hands-off dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in salsa and seasonings. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or as a versatile base for tacos, bowls, and sandwiches.
Serve over rice, in tortillas, over baked potatoes, in salads, or with pasta. Pair with toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, lime wedges, or tortilla chips.
For deeper flavor, use fresh salsa instead of jarred, or add 1 tsp ground cumin and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Can be prepared in slow cooker up to 12 hours ahead; store in refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.
Ingredients
Scale
Measurement units
- 2 lb Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups Salsa (mild or medium)
- 1 packet Taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade blend)
- 1 Yellow onion (medium, diced)
- 1 Red bell pepper (diced)
- 1 can (15 oz) Black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup Corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Ingredients
Scale
Measurement units
- 2 lb Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups Salsa (mild or medium)
- 1 packet Taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade blend)
- 1 Yellow onion (medium, diced)
- 1 Red bell pepper (diced)
- 1 can (15 oz) Black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup Corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
Prep the vegetables
Dice the onion (1 medium) into bite-sized pieces.
Dice the red bell pepper into bite-sized pieces.
Equipment: knife, cutting board
Add chicken to slow cooker
Place the chicken breasts (2 lbs) in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
Equipment: slow cooker
Add liquids
Pour the salsa (1 cup) over the chicken.
Pour the chicken broth (½ cup) over the chicken.
Equipment: slow cooker
Add seasonings
Sprinkle the taco seasoning (2 tbsp), cumin (1 tsp), and chili powder (1 tsp) evenly over the chicken.
Equipment: slow cooker
Add vegetables and beans
Add the diced onion (1 medium) and red bell pepper to the slow cooker.
Add the black beans (1 can) and corn (1 cup) to the slow cooker.
Equipment: slow cooker
Combine ingredients
Stir gently to combine all ingredients, ensuring the chicken is partially submerged.
Equipment: slow cooker, spoon
Slow cook
Cover and cook on low until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Equipment: slow cooker
Shred the chicken
Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker.
Shred the chicken using two forks or a stand mixer.
Equipment: forks, plate
Return chicken to sauce
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
Stir to combine with the sauce.
Equipment: slow cooker, spoon
Adjust seasoning
Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve
Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired.
Equipment: serving bowls
Before you cook
Cook notes
- • Can be prepared in slow cooker up to 12 hours ahead; store in refrigerator and reheat gently before serving
- • For deeper flavor, use fresh salsa instead of jarred, or add 1 tsp ground cumin and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- • Serve over rice, in tortillas, over baked potatoes, in salads, or with pasta
- • Pair with toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, lime wedges, or tortilla chips
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